WElcome to MY area of so-called-expertise!!!
OK, first, might I suggest you model unit 1805, as it is still to this day painted in this scheme (the last one in the chevrons).
About those class lights (you were right about that) I've used a decal from a company in Canada that I can't find on the Internets. I'll see if I can dig them up and get a name.
BUt, for decals in general, use:
www.mgdecals.com/L-160.htmI would LOVE to see if anyone else has an idea on how to light those class lights up...and is willing to do it for me!
Also, note that the yellow snowplow didn't last very long like that...Oh, it's still there somewhere, but you'd hardly notice it, with all the Mud on it.
Here's the ONR H&TS site, with photos:
Choose your era for the engine carefully, as a batch of the GP38's left GMDD with the chevrons inadvertantly reversed on the fireman's side...they were eventually repainted, but it's something to note.
Basically, it's a canadianized GP38, with a nose mounted headlight (make sure it's a Pyle National headlight casting) and Numberboard-mounted bell.
And you'll need to check out a whole bevy of stuff from Miniatures by Eric or railflyer, both of which are listed below. Choose the correct anticlimber/ditchlight assembly, winterization hatch, and most importantly, vertical ladder stepwells (Which are totally different than the US ones--presumably for safety in the snow!).
Incidentally, if you want to model the ONR without the fuss of "canadianizing" it, you can check out the 2200-2202...they're EX-HATX/B&M GP40-2's that they purchased from Helm, and are pretty much stock:
www.lantz.ca/imagesmoosoneetrains/freight2009nov10/1024_MG_0894.jpgOne last bit of trivia to note, all of the ONR's locomotive classes (going back to the steam days) have been numbered sequentially by purchase date. FOr example, the current active roster has 1600 class GP9's,
1730 Class SD40-2's (the "30"was for the Horsepower, but that wasn't ever repeated)
1800 class GP 38-2's
1900 TEE trains.
2000 class was the CAT "F" Rebuild project
2100's were SD75's
2200's are the GP40-2's
SO, if the ONR purchases some of GO Transit's now retired F59PHi's, they would fall into the 2300 class.
It's a really neat regional, great people with a shortline feel and big railroad look (But then I'm biased, since I model it)
As for the nose-mounted headlights it's a delicate task of carving a notch in the nose, and placing the headlight casting on it...check here, I am sure I saw someone on here show how to do it...
If you have any other questions as you go along, PM me... I've done 2 convesrsions one Athearn (Which was several years ago) and 1 Proto, which is almost done.
